Method and apparatus for estimating a position of an access point in a wireless communications network

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes a method for estimating a position of an Access Point in a wireless communications network. The Access Point, used for connecting wireless networks to a core network, is being equipped with a User Equipment module, UE module. The UE module is used for scanning, for example upon a triggering event, a surrounding environment of the Access Point to identify neighbor Radio Base Stations. The Access Point then creates a neighbor list including information relating to neighbor Radio Base Stations. The Access Point forwards the neighbor list to the Network Control Node, wherein the Network Control Node uses the information in the neighbor list to estimate a position of the Access Point.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a wireless communications network, andmore particularly, to a method and apparatus for estimating a positionof an Access Point in a wireless communications network.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to wireless communications networks. Insuch networks, a geographical area to be covered by the network isdivided into cells each being controlled by a node. In existing networksthe nodes are represented by Radio Base stations (RBSs), or Node-B ascalled in 3GPP specifications. Communications to and from a mobileterminal in a cell take place via a node over one or more frequencychannels allocated to the cell. A Radio Base station (RBS) in a widebandcode division multiple access network (WCDMA), is a part of a RadioAccess Network (RAN).

Cells may be of different types. For example macro cells are used in anetwork to provide large area coverage. Micro cells are deployed in manynetworks to increase capacity. Within one macro cell coverage area theremaybe one or more micro cells.

Hierarchical cellular communications systems employ different size cellsto provide both wide-coverage, basic-service (macro cell) andhigh-quality, high-capacity radio coverage in smaller areas (microcells). Micro cells are useful in specific areas. For example, microcells may be located to serve areas of concentrated traffic within themacro cell or to provide a high data rate service. A micro cell uses alow-height antenna and a low base station transmit power which result ina small cell and a short frequency reuse distance, thereby increasingcapacity. Additional benefits of a smaller cell include a longertalk-time (battery life time) for users since mobile stations willlikely use a substantially lower uplink transmit power to communicatewith a micro cell Radio Base station (RBS) than with a base station in alarger macro cell which is likely further away.

In a hierarchical cell structure (HCS), macro cells and micro cellstypically overlap to handle different traffic patterns or radioenvironments. A micro cell base station may be connected to a macro cellbase station via digital transmission lines, or the micro cell basestation may be treated just like a macro cell and be connected directlyto a base station controller node. Such control nodes are a base stationcontroller (BSC), in the well-known global system for mobilecommunications (GSM) systems, or a radio network controller (RNC), inthe third generation, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA)systems. For more information concerning Macro cells and Micro cells seeWO2005057975.

Mobile communications networks are growing rapidly as new cells areintroduced into the networks. Currently a geographical position of abase station is manually configured in a control node. However, currentway to manually configure the position doesn't work for a home RBSscenario, as end users install their own home RBSs. The end users arealso capable of moving home RBSs when moving to or visiting a newlocation (house, city etc.), without an operator being able, or in manycases willing, to control this. This means that wherever a home RBS isinstalled and connects to an RNC in a new location, geographical datawould need to be updated.

There are many existing systems for positioning of base stations ormobile stations. Patent document US20030148774 relates to atelecommunications system and a method for use in a telecommunicationssystem. The telecommunications system comprises a plurality of serviceareas, each of the service areas being identified by a service areaidentifier. In accordance with the method a service area identifier isrequested that associates with a mobile station. Upon receipt of therequest, one service area identifier is selected from a plurality ofpossible service area identifiers. A predefined rule for the selectionof the service area identifier is used for the selection. Locationinformation that associates with the mobile station is then providedbased on the selected service area identifier.

In patent document US2005113117, there is described a cellularcommunications network where additional control signals comprisingvirtual base station identification data are distributed in the radiosystem from well defined locations by e.g. transmitters. Since there isa connection between each virtual base station identification data andthe location from where it is transmitted, a mobile terminal can use theinformation for improving its position estimation according toconventional procedures. No modifications of the mobile terminals aretherefore necessary. The mobile terminal is not able to connect to thecommunications system using the virtual base station identificationdata, since this data only is intended for position estimating purposes.In such a way, the devices for providing the additional informationnecessary for the improved position estimation can be made very simpleand inexpensive.

Other systems use global positioning system (GPS) receivers fordetermining positions of Radio Base stations or mobile stations. A GPSreceiver has two different problems related to it. First, it addssignificantly to the cost of a home RBS. Secondly, GPS normally don'twork well indoors due to weak satellite signals.

SUMMARY

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newautomatic mechanism for obtaining a position of an access point or aFemto RBS, small area RBS, whenever the Femto RBS is installed in alocation (geographical area) or moved from that location and installedin another location. It is also an object of the present invention toprovide such a mechanism in a wireless communications network, whereinthe number of Access Points is rapidly increasing and wherein the AccessPoints are installed and moved by end users.

In a further embodiment of the present invention a method for estimatinga position of an Access Point in a wireless communications network, isdisclosed. The Access Point, used for connecting wireless networks to acore network, is being equipped with a User Equipment module, UE module.The UE module is used for scanning, for example upon a triggering event,a surrounding environment of the Access Point to identify neighbourRadio Base Stations. The Access Point then creates a neighbour listincluding information relating to neighbour Radio Base Stations. TheRadio Base Stations being Macro RBSs and/or Femto RBSs. A connection isestablishing between the Access Point and a Network Control Node. TheAccess Point forwards the neighbour list to the Network Control Node,wherein the Network Control Node uses the information in the neighbourlist to estimate a position of the Access Point.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention an Access Point isdescribed. The Access Point is used for connecting wireless networks toa core network, and wherein the Access Point is equipped with a userEquipment module, UE module. The UE module is used for scanning asurrounding environment of the Access Point to identify neighbour RadioBase Stations. The UE module then receives information from neighbourRadio Base Stations, the information is to be stored and used forestimating a position of the Access Point. A neighbour list manager inthe Access Point is used for creating neighbour lists includinginformation relating to neighbour Radio Base Stations. The Access Pointfurther comprises connection establishing equipment used forestablishing a connection between the Access Point and a Network ControlNode, and for forwarding the neighbour list from the Access Point to theNetwork Control Node. The Network Control Node uses the information inthe neighbour list to estimate a position of the Access Point.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention a network controlnode is described. The Network Control Node comprises connectionestablishing equipment used for establishing a connection between theNetwork Control Node and an Access Point, and for receiving a neighbourlist from the Access Point. The neighbour list includes informationrelating to neighbour Radio Base Stations in a surrounding environmentof the Access Point. The network control node further comprises adatabase including information relating to Radio Base stations in anarea covered by the Network Control Node. Estimation equipment is usedto estimate and automatically update a position of the Access Pointbased on information retrieved from the neighbour list and informationstored in the database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a signal diagram illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention for performing position estimation.

FIG. 3 is a signal diagram illustrating another embodiment of thepresent invention for performing position estimation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an Access Point and a networkcontrol node according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An investigation is performed, by the inventors, to find a possible wayto provide homes or small areas with 3G coverage for a limited number ofusers using a small Radio Base station (RBS). This kind of small areaRadio Base stations are here called Home 3G Access Points (H3GAPs) orFemto RBSs. A H3GAP is mainly targeted for private homes and smalloffice segments and one benefit is that there is no need for alternativeaccess technology investments or WLAN/UMA/GAN in handsets, since anyexisting 3G phones will work in such an environment. Examples of 3Gstandards are Wideband Code Division Code Multiple Access (WCDMA),CDMA2000 and Time Division—Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access(TD-SCDMA).

The invention described in this document is mostly relevant for ascenario using WCDMA, but it could also be applied in other cases. Forexample, a similar solution might be developed for GSM, CDMA2000 orTD-SCDMA. In the present description the WCDMA scenario is mostly usedto achieve a more easy disclosure and better understanding of thepresent invention.

The H3GAPs provides normal WCDMA coverage for end users and is connectedto a Radio Network Controller (RNC) using some kind of IP basedtransmission. A coverage area provided is called a Femto cell toindicate that the coverage area is relatively small compared with anarea of a Macro cell. One alternative for the IP based transmission isto use Fixed Broadband access (like xDSL, Cable etc.) to connect theH3GAPs to the RNC. Another alternative would be to use Mobile Broadbandaccess e.g. Wimax, HSDPA and Enhanced Uplink. A H3GAP is installed andmanaged by end users in a plug-and-play manner which creates specialneeds for such a system.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram according to an embodiment of the inventionillustrating a WCDMA network including Home 3G Access Points. Thewireless communications network 1 includes a core network (CN) 2connected to a radio network controller, RNC 3, using a standard Iuinterface. Alternatively, the RNC is a Macro RNC and/or a Femto RNC. TheRNC controls all Radio Base stations that are connected to the RNC, bothMacro and Femto Radio Base stations. In the figure, the RNC 3 isconnected to one or more Macro RBSs 4 and to one or more Femto RBSs 6belonging to a group of Femto RBSs 5. The interface between the FemtoRBS and the RNC is an Iub+ interface or an Extended Iub interface. TheIub+ interface resembles the Iub interface, but is modified forconveying additional information. Alternatively a new protocol is usedto convey such additional information. The interface is transportedusing an IP network providing IP connectivity between a Femto RBS andthe RNC. As this IP network may consists of unprotected IP networks,security mechanisms between the RNC and the Femto RBSs are included.Communication between the RNC 3 and the Macro RBSs 4 are IP based orIP/ATM based, and the interface is Iub. The Macro RBSs 4 are working asan Access Point for one or more mobiles 9 within macro cells 7. Thegroup of Femto RBSs 5 are working as Access Points for mobiles withinFemto cells 8. For simplicity only one macro cell 7 is described inFIG. 1. Also, the Macro RBSs 4 are connected to one or more RNCs 3.

In another embodiment of the present invention the CN 2 might also beconnected to two RNCs, a Macro 11 and a Femto RNC 10, dashed lines inthe figure. The Macro RNC 11 controls Macro Radio Base stations 4, MacroRBSs 4, and the Femto RNC 10 controls Femto RBSs 6, H3GAPs, marked withdashed lines. The Macro RNC 11 and the Femto RNC 10 would exchangeinformation concerning Access Points 6, if necessary. An OperatingSupport System (OSS) 12 usually performs management of Access Points andMacro RBSs. A Femto RBS manager 13, also called H3GAP manager, isresponsible for managing Femto RBSs. The OSS and the Femto RBS managerare stand alone nodes or parts of other nodes like the RNC 3 or the CN2. The OSS and the Femto RBS manager might also be distributed programsin a network 1. The Access Point for a mobile user is a Femto RBS 6 whenthe mobile user is within the reach of the Femto RBS 6. When the usergets out of reach for a Femto RBS 6 then the Access Point becomes a newFemto RBS 6 or a Macro RBS 4.

Thus, the inventors realizing that there will be problems withmaintaining an accurate position of an Access Point when there are alarge number of Access Points, as in the new proposed H3G system,therefore they suggest the solution according to the present inventionto avoid or at least alleviate such problems. An embodiment of thepresent invention is to make it possible to automatically estimate aposition of an Access Point and maintain accurate position data. Theposition information is for example used in case of an emergency call.

FIG. 2 is a signal diagram illustrating an embodiment of the presentinvention for estimating a position of an Access Point (AP) in awireless communications network including a large number of APs. Thesignal diagram illustrates the following steps:

1. A Femto RBS is initially powered up. This is the case when a FemtoRBS for the first time is taken into use or the time after the Femto RBShas been moved to another location. Of course a Femto RBS can be poweredoff and on in the same location as previously. When powered up, theFemto RBS performs defined power up activities for this node type, whichare predefined and set by a node provider. As part of the power up, theFemto RBS either dynamically builds an address identifier for acontrolling Network Central Node, or the Femto RBS is alreadypreconfigured with address information concerning a Central Node.

2. As part of the Femto RBS power-up sequence, a WCDMA user module,WCDMA UE, in the Femto RBS scans the surrounding WCDMA environment macrocoverage to find out which macro

WCDMA base stations or more correctly which WCDMA macro cells thatexists in a current location. Information about these macro cells basestations and relevant information is retrieved. The information relatesto one or more of the following: frequency, Scrambling Code, Public landmobile network identifier (PLMN-ID), Location Area Code (LAC), RoutingArea Code (RAC), Cell identity (CI) and if available Reference position(latitude/longitude).

In addition or in combination the Femto RBS performs a signal strengthmeasurement for all found cells in a similar way as a UE measuresneighbouring cells in a macro WCDMA case. Also, information abouttransmit power used is retrieved.

Note also that in some scenarios some Femto Cells may be found duringthis step if the Femto RBS is not able to distinguish these cells fromthe macro cells.

3. All cells found in step 2 and all related information is added to alist called Femto RBS Detected Neighbour list (Femto RBS_DNL).

4. When the Femto RBS_DNL is built in the Femto RBS, the Femto RBSestablishes a connection to a Femto RNC.

5. The Femto RBS_DNL is reported to the Femto RNC. If the Femto RBS_DNLcontains information relating to identified Femto cells, then the FemtoRNC is capable of removing these cells from the list.

6. The Femto RNC uses the received information (i.e. the Femto RBS_DNL)to determine an approximate position for the Femto RBS. Additionally,the Femto RNC uses configured geographical information for heard macrocells when determining the position of a Femto RBS.

In case the Femto RBSs and the Macro RBSs are controlled by the sameRNC, the PLMN-ID, RAC, LAC and CI reported for a macro cell is to beused to find out which Macro RBS is controlling a macro cell and to findout a possibly configured geographical position for that Macro RBS.

7. The position of the Femto RBS is stored/updated in a database (RNCinternal or external). In this example, the database is centralized andcalled Home 3G Access Database (H3GA DB).

In case the Femto RBSs 6 and Macro RBSs 4 are controlled by differentRNCs, as in FIG. 1, the Femto RNC controlling the Femto RBSs does nothave the geographical positions, e.g. longitude/latitude, for the MacroRBSs stored in its own data. Thus, new step 6 to step 10 are introducedas in FIG. 3. The Femto RBS will not be able to estimate a position forthe Femto RBS based on the position of the Macro RBS, without theposition information of the Macro RBSs.

Steps 1-5 as in the description of FIG. 2 see above.

6. The Femto RNC checks its internal database for a matching Macro RNCserving macro cells retrieved from the Femto RBS_DNL.

7. The Femto RNC requests, from the identified Macro RNC, the positionsof the macro cells.

8. The Femto RNC then receives the positions of the macro cells, fromthe Macro RNC.

9. The Femto RNC uses the received position information, from the MacroRNC, and additional information from the Femto RBS_DNL to determine anapproximate position for the Femto RBS.

10. The estimated position of the Femto RBS is stored in a database (RNCinternal or external). In this example, the database is centralized andcalled Home 3G Access Database (H3GA DB).

In another embodiment of the present invention geographical positions ofMacro RBSs are stored in a central database which is accessed by a FemtoRNC (e.g. in the H3GA DB). Also in this case, the PLMN-ID, LAC and CIreported for a macro cell is to be used to point out the Macro RBS.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention transmit power andsignal strength is retrieved and used to calculate an approximatedistance to all heard Macro RBSs. This calculation is preferably done bythe Femto RBS or the RNC and stored in the Femto RBS_DNL. The more MacroRBSs a Femto RBS can hear and detect the more accurate positionestimation is performed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodimentof the present invention. The method is used for estimating a positionof an AP in a wireless communications network. The AP according to theflowchart illustrates the following steps (S):

S1. Activating the Access Point (AP) causing a triggering event. The APis equipped with an UE module. Activation of the AP is performed forexample after that the AP is moved to a new location or when switched onfor the first time. Of course the end-user is able to switch on and offthe AP at any time, for example when saving power consumption etc.

S2. Scanning a surrounding environment of the AP to identify neighbourcells and/or neighbour APs. The neighbour cells are cells served byMacro RBSs

S3. Creating, at the AP, a neighbour list including information relatingto neighbour cells and/or neighbour APs. This information relates to oneor more of the following: frequency, Scrambling Code, PLMN-ID,latitude/longitude, Location Area Code (LAC), Cell identity (CI), ifavailable Reference position, signal strength and transmit power.

S4. Establishing a connection between the AP and a Network Control Node.The connections between the AP and the Femto RNC are IP based.

S5. Forwarding the neighbour list from the AP to the Network ControlNode, wherein the Network Control Node uses the information in theneighbour list to estimate a position of the AP.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an Access Point and a networknode in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. In afurther embodiment of the invention the wireless communication network 1includes Access Points and Network Control Nodes communicating with eachother directly or via other Network Control Nodes. FIG. 5 shows only asimplified view of the network comprising only one Access Point and oneNetwork Control Node, i.e. RNC. In existing networks there are manyAccess Points controlled by one or more RNCs. The Access Point and theNetwork Control Node, in FIG. 5, are both simplified and contain onlyparts that are relevant for describing the invention.

An Access Point 20 according to FIG. 5, comprises a User EquipmentModule (UE module) 21 used for scanning a surrounding of the AccessPoint. The UE module 21 scans and identifies cells and Access Points (4,6) in a neighbour area serving the cells. The cells (7, 8) are areasserved by Radio Base stations, Macro RBSs 4 or Femto RBSs 6. Thescanning is performed automatically, periodically or event triggered byan end user. The Access Point 20 further comprises a neighbour listmanager 22 used for creating and managing neighbour lists. The neighbourlists are Femto RBS Detected Neighbour Lists (Femto RBS_DNLs) includinginformation relating to neighbour Radio Base Stations. Connectionestablishing equipment 23 is used for setting up a connection betweenthe Access Point 20, i.e. Femto RBS, and a Network Control Node 30 andfor forwarding Femto RBS_DNLs to the Network Control Node 30. TheNetwork Control Node 30 includes also a connection establishingequipment 31 for connecting to the Access Point 20 and for receivingFemto RBS_DNLs. The Network Control Node 20 further includes a database32, including Lookup tables, with macro and Femto RBS information. Thedatabase 32 includes also a lookup table with Macro RNC identities.Estimation equipment (33) in the Network Control Node 30 is used forestimating a position of an Access Point 20 based on informationretrieved from the Femto RBS_DNL and the database 32. If moreinformation is needed about positions of Macro RBSs the Network ControlNode 30 checks its Lookup table to identify serving Macro RNCs which canprovide such position information. The Network Control Node 30, in FIG.5, manages one or several Access Points 5, as in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 showsonly parts of the wireless communications network 1 needed to explainthe present invention in a simple manner.

In another aspect of the present invention, a reference positionbroadcasted in system information could be used as an input forestimation of a position of an Access Point (AP). This means thatinstead of retrieving position information from another node, aspreviously described, the position information heard in the surroundingWCDMA environment is used by an AP to estimate its own position. Thisway position information is directly used by the Access Point and thestep of retrieving position information from a control node of a RadioBase Station, an AP or a node storing position information, is no longerneeded. The broadcasted reference information is for examplelatitude/longitude used together with other relevant data e.g. Signalstrength measurements. The AP is thereby able to estimate its ownposition based on position information received from neighbour basestations and thereafter update the RNC with this information.Preferably, the position estimation procedure mentioned above isperformed automatically upon a triggering event.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and changes may be made to the present invention withoutdeparture from the scope thereof which is defined by the appendedclaims.

1. A method for estimating a position of a Femto Radio Base Station(Femto RBS) serving a Femto cell in a wireless communications networkcomprising at least one neighbouring Femto RBS and at least oneneighbouring Macro Radio Base Station (Macro RBS) serving a Macro cell,wherein the Femto RBS is equipped with a User Equipment (UE) module usedfor connecting wireless networks to a core network, said methodcomprising the steps of: using the UE module to scan a surroundingenvironment of the Femto RBS to identify neighbour Radio Base stations;creating, at the Femto RBS, a neighbour list including informationrelating to identified neighbour Macro Radio Base stations from amongall the neighbor Radio Base Stations by; performing signal strengthmeasurements for all detected neighbour cells including Macro cells andFemto cells; and creating a neighbor list that includes the measuredinformation for detected Macro cells but excludes measured informationfor detected Femto cells; establishing a connection between the FemtoRBS and a Network Control Node; and, forwarding the neighbour list fromthe Femto RBS to the Network Control Node, wherein the Network ControlNode uses the information in the neighbour list to estimate a positionof the Femto RBS.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stepof creating a neighbour list comprises the step of said Femto RBSretrieving information related to neighbour cells transmit power andincluding retrieved information in the neighbour list.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the information in the neighbour listrelates to one or more of the following: cell frequency; Scramblingcodes; Public land mobile network identifier, PLMN-ID; location areacode; cell identity; reference position; and, routing area code.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the Network Control Node determines if theneighbour list contains information relating to Femto Radio Basestations and Macro Radio Base stations, and estimates a position of theFemto RBS based solely on neighbour list Macro Radio Base stationinformation.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the Network Control Nodeincludes information which is used in combination with informationretrieved from the neighbour list to identify a Radio Base station'sserving Radio Network Controller (RNC).
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the Network Control Node requests and receives positioninformation relating to the Radio Base station's in the neighbour listfrom the Radio Base station's serving RNC.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the Femto RBS is connected to a core network via at least oneFemto Radio Network Controller, (RNC).
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinthe connection between the Femto RBS and a Femto RNC is an InternetProtocol (IP) based connection.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theFemto RBS, upon power up, automatically: scans a surroundingenvironment; registers with a Network Control Node; creates a neighbourlist; and, downloads configuration data.
 10. A Femto Radio Base Station(Femto RBS) serving a Femto cell in a wireless communications networkcomprising at least one neighbouring Femto RBS and at least oneneighbouring Macro Radio Base Station (Macro RBS) serving a Macro cell,the Femto RBS for connecting to a core network, wherein the Femto RBScomprising the following parts: a User Equipment (UE) module forscanning a surrounding environment of the Femto RBS to identifyneighbour Radio Base stations, wherein the UE module receivesinformation from identified neighbour base stations serving neighbourcells; and, a neighbour list manager for creating a neighbour listincluding information relating to neighbour Macro Radio Base stationsfrom among all the neighbor Radio Base Stations by: performing signalstrength measurements for all detected neighbour cells including Macrocells and Femto cells; and creating the neighbor list that includes themeasured information for detected Macro cells but excludes measuredinformation for detected Femto cells; and, connection establishingequipment for establishing a connection with a Network Control Node andfor forwarding the neighbour list from the Femto RBS to the NetworkControl Node, wherein the Network Control Node uses the information inthe neighbour list to estimate a position of the Femto RBS.
 11. TheFemto RBS of claim 10, wherein the Femto RBS, upon power up,automatically: scans a surrounding environment; registers with a NetworkControl Node; creates a neighbour list; and, downloads configurationdata.
 12. The Femto RBS of claim 10, wherein the information in theneighbour list relates to one or more of the following: cell frequency;Scrambling codes; Public land mobile network identifier, PLMN-ID;location area code; cell identity; reference position; routing areacode; neighbour cells transmit power; and, measured signal strength forall detected neighbour cells.
 13. A Network Control Node in a wirelesscommunications network comprising a Femto Radio Base Station (Femto RBS)serving a Femto cell, at least one neighbouring Femto RBS, and at leastone neighbouring Macro Radio Base Station (Macro RBS) serving a Macrocell, comprising the following parts: connection establishing equipmentused for establishing a connection between the Network Control Node andthe Femto RBS and for receiving a neighbour list from the Femto RBS, theneighbour list including information relating to neighbour Radio Basestations in a surrounding environment of the Femto RBS, where the FemtoRBS created the neighbour list from signal strength measurements fordetected Macro cells but excluded signal strength measurements fordetected Femto cells; and, a database including information relating toRadio Base stations in an area covered by the Network Control Node; and,estimation equipment used to determine if the neighbour list containsinformation relating to Femto Radio Base stations and Macro Radio Basestations and then estimates a position of the Femto RBS based solely onneighbour list Macro Radio Base station information and on informationin the database.
 14. The Network Control Node of claim 13, wherein theNetwork Control Node database includes information which is used incombination with information retrieved from the neighbour list toidentify a Radio Base stations's serving Radio Network Controller (RNC).15. The Network Control Node of claim 14, wherein the Network ControlNode requests and receives position information, relating to the RadioBase stations in the neighbour list from the Radio Base stations'sserving RNC.
 16. The Network Control Node of claim 13, wherein theNetwork Control Node is a Femto Radio Network Controller (RNC) or partof a Femto RNC.
 17. The Network Control Node of claim 13, wherein theNetwork Control Node automatically updates the Femto RBS estimatedposition and stores estimated positions of Femto RBSs in the Database.18. The Network Control Node of claim 13, wherein upon demand positioninformation of a Femto RBS, which is stored and automatically updated inthe Network Control Node, is retrieved in case of an alarm signal.
 19. AFemto Radio Base Station (Femto RBS) serving a Femto cell in a wirelesscommunications network comprising at least one neighbouring Femto RBSand at least one neighbouring Macro Radio Base Station (Macro RBS)serving a Macro cell, wherein the Femto RBS comprising the followingparts: a User Equipment (UE) module for scanning a surroundingenvironment of the Femto RBS to identify neighbour Radio Base stations,wherein the UE module receives information from identified neighbourbase stations serving neighbour cells; and, a neighbour list manager forcreating neighbour lists including information relating to neighbourMacro Radio Base stations from among all the neighbor Radio BaseStations; connection establishing equipment for establishing aconnection with a Network Control Node and for forwarding the neighbourlist from the Femto RBS to the Network Control Node, wherein the NetworkControl Node uses the information in the neighbour list to estimate aposition of the Femto RBS; and, wherein the neighbour list managercreates the neighbour list after the UE module performs signal strengthmeasurements for all detected neighbour cells including Macro cells andFemto cells and including measured information for the detected Macrocells and the detected Femto cells in the neighbour list if theneighbour list manager is not able to distinguish Femto cells from Macrocells, and if the neighbour list manager is able to distinguish Femtocells from Macro cells then creating the neighbour list includingmeasured information for the detected Macro cells and not the detectedFemto cells.
 20. A method for estimating a position of a Femto RadioBase Station (Femto RBS) serving a Femto cell in a wirelesscommunications network comprising at least one neighbouring Femto RBSand at least one neighbouring Macro Radio Base Station (Macro RBS)serving a Macro cell, wherein the Femto RBS is equipped with a UserEquipment (UE) module used for connecting wireless networks to a corenetwork, said method comprising the steps of: using the UE module toscan a surrounding environment of the Femto RBS to identify neighbourRadio Base stations; creating, at the Femto RBS, a neighbour listincluding information relating to identified neighbour Macro Radio Basestations from among all the neighbor Radio Base Stations by; performingsignal strength measurements for all detected neighbour cells includingMacro cells and Femto cells; and creating a neighbor list that includesthe measured information for detected Macro cells but excludes measuredinformation for detected Femto cells; establishing a connection betweenthe Femto RBS and a Network Control Node; forwarding the neighbour listfrom the Femto RBS to the Network Control Node, wherein the NetworkControl Node uses the information in the neighbour list to estimate aposition of the Femto RBS; and the Network Control Node determines ifthe neighbour list contains information relating to Femto Radio Basestations and Macro Radio Base stations, and estimates a position of theFemto RBS based solely on neighbour list Macro Radio Base stationinformation.
 21. A Network Control Node in a wireless communicationsnetwork comprising a Femto Radio Base Station (Femto RBS) serving aFemto cell, at least one neighbouring Femto RBS, and at least oneneighbouring Macro Radio Base Station (Macro RBS) serving a Macro cell,comprising the following parts: connection establishing equipment usedfor establishing a connection between the Network Control Node and theFemto RBS and for receiving a neighbour list from the Femto RBS, theneighbour list including information relating to neighbour Radio Basestations in a surrounding environment of the Femto RBS; and, a databaseincluding information relating to Radio Base stations in an area coveredby the Network Control Node; estimation equipment used to determine ifthe neighbour list contains information relating to Femto Radio Basestations and Macro Radio Base stations and then estimates a position ofthe Femto RBS based solely on neighbour list Macro Radio Base stationinformation and on information in the database; the Network Control Nodedatabase includes information which is used in combination withinformation retrieved from the neighbour list to identify a Radio Basestations's serving Radio Network Controller (RNC); and the NetworkControl Node requests and receives position information, relating to theRadio Base stations in the neighbour list from the Radio Base stations'sserving RNC.